Restoring a Young Girl’s Smile: Releasing Post-Burn Neck and Facial Tethering
The survivor’s journey, before and after surgery.
13-year-old girl lived with post-burn neck and facial contractures that pulled her jaw down in chronic pain.
The human face and neck express our identity, our emotion, and our connection to the world. A thirteen-year-old girl sustained burns that left deep contractures across her neck and lower face. As the scars tightened, they pulled her jaw down and tethered her neck, making rotation and upward gaze and difficult.
The physical strain was hard, but the emotional impact of visible facial deformity on a growing 13-year-old girl was hard. The girl avoided public spaces and walked with a scarf drawn tight around her face.
The Anatomical Complexity of Cervicofacial Contractures
Cervicofacial burn contractures are among the most challenging deformities in reconstructive surgery. The platysma muscle and delicate cervical skin contract, obliterating the cervicomental angle and pulling the lower lip and chin toward the sternum.
Correction requires expert surgical release, careful preservation of vital cervical structures, and meticulous skin resurfacing. For her family in Panipat, the cost of specialized reconstructive surgery was completely impossible.
The Surgical Intervention at Soni Hospital
BHF stepped in through our partner center, Soni Hospital in Panipat, Haryana. The surgical team evaluated the girl and cleared her for fully funded reconstructive surgery sponsored by BHF.
The surgeons meticulously released the tight cervical contracture bands, releasing the tethering tension on her neck and lower face. A carefully matched skin graft was inset to recreate natural cervical contour and restore painless movement.
Looking Up into the Future
The girl can now turn her neck freely, speak without strain, and look upward with ease. Her smile has returned, and she moves forward with newfound courage and confidence.
Medical photo, before surgeryFully funded by BHF, at no cost to the family.
This survivor has already been treated. ₹20,000 to 50,000 funds the next surgery at a partner hospital.
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